Telangana Parties Urge Government to Implement 2011 Act for Tenant Farmers

Eight political parties in Telangana have submitted a joint appeal to the State government, demanding the immediate implementation of the Licensed Cultivators Act, 2011. The political groups have called for tenant farmers across the state to be formally identified during the ongoing Kharif season, issued identity cards, and provided unhindered access to public welfare schemes, agricultural inputs, and crop sales at Minimum Support Price (MSP).

What Happened

The collective demand was raised during an all-party roundtable convened by the Telangana Tenant Farmers Recognition Struggle Committee at the Sundarayya Vignana Kendram. The meeting was presided over by the committee convenor, Prof. D. Narasimha Reddy. B. Kondal of Rythu Swarajya Vedika initiated the discussion, and Vissa Kirankumar delivered an informational presentation. Other notable participants and speakers included MLC M. Kodandaram, noted academic and TPJAC convenor Prof. Haragopal, Kanneganti Ravi of Rythu Swarajya Vedika, P. Shankar of the Dalit Bahujan Front, and Skylab of the Kula Nirmoolana Porata Samithi.

Representatives from eight political parties—including the Congress, CPI, CPI(M), Telangana Jana Samithi, and other Left and regional formations—endorsed a joint statement calling for institutional support for tenant cultivators. The leaders also criticized the previous BRS administration for discontinuing the enforcement of the 2011 Act after 2017, urging the current Congress government to honor the promises made in its election manifesto and earlier commitments given by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy prior to the 2023 Assembly elections.

Key Highlights

• Immediate enforcement of the Licensed Cultivators Act, 2011 to identify tenant farmers across Telangana.
• Issuance of official identity cards to licensed cultivators to ensure access to agricultural inputs and government support systems.
• Permission for tenant cultivators to sell their produce directly to state procurement agencies at Minimum Support Price (MSP) using their identity cards.
• Execution of the identification process during the ongoing Kharif season based on statutory rules.
• A call to complete all administrative preparations and issue an official notification before the upcoming Assembly session on September 7.
• Demand for the fulfillment of pre-election commitments made to tenant farmers by the Congress leadership and Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy.

Why This Matters

According to speakers at the meeting, tenant cultivators make up more than 36% of all farmers in Telangana, representing approximately 22 lakh families who contribute substantially to the state agricultural output. Prof. Haragopal highlighted that tenant farmers remain among the hardest hit by the ongoing agrarian crisis and require structured institutional recognition.

The leaders pointed out that tenant farmers are increasingly shut out from agricultural assistance programs—including PM-KISAN—because access is progressively tied to land ownership titles and OTP-based authentication systems. Without formal recognition and land titles in their names, these cultivators are cut off from direct welfare schemes and regular procurement mechanisms unless the 2011 framework is enforced.

What to Watch Next

The political coalition has set a clear timeline, calling on the state administration to finish preparatory measures and issue a formal identification notification before the Telangana Legislative Assembly session begins on September 7. The upcoming legislative proceedings will reveal whether the government acts on the joint demands and begins the identification drive during the Kharif season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which political parties signed the joint statement?

The joint statement was signed by representatives of eight political parties, including the Congress, CPI, CPI(M), Telangana Jana Samithi, and several other Left and regional groups.

Why are tenant farmers being excluded from government agricultural schemes?

According to the speakers, government initiatives like PM-KISAN have become linked to official land ownership records and OTP-based verification systems, leaving tenant cultivators without land titles unable to access benefits.

What specific rights are being sought through the identity cards?

The parties are demanding that identity cards issued under the 2011 Act grant tenant farmers direct access to government agricultural inputs, welfare schemes, and the ability to sell produce to state agencies at Minimum Support Price (MSP).

Source: Based on reporting from The Hindu.